Press with easily exchangeable proof plates

Abstract

In a press operable for movements of proof plate exchangeably mounted on an end of a press die into and out of a mold, and wherein the proof plate normally does not exceed a position wherein its topmost portion is at most flush with a topmost portion of the mold during the movements, the improvement includes a drive device independent of the movements for moving the proof plate beyond the topmost portion of the mold, so that the proof plate projects through the mold, and is thereby freely accessible for the purpose of being replaced.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
       1. A press, comprising in combination: press die means actuatable at least in part for movement in opposite directions,   a mold movable in said opposite directions defining at least one through-going bore and being adapted to be filled on its interior with granular material,   a mold table for mounting said mold on a face of said mold table and defining a through-going aperture having a cross-sectional area exceeding the cross-sectional area of said bore, a first portion of said press die means being insertable into said bore through said aperture,   a proof plate exchangeably mounted on an end of said first portion of said press die means, and operable to be introduced into said bore, said press die means including a second portion for moving said first portion into said bore in a press stroke, and subsequently returning said first portion in a release stroke, said proof plate being normally restrained from exceeding a position wherein its topmost portion is at most flush with a topmost portion of said mold during said strokes,   supporting means releasably secured during both opposite strokes to said second portion, for supporting said first portion, and   drive means independent of said strokes and operable for lifting said supporting-means off said second portion in the direction of motion of said first portion into said bore, upon said second portion being released from said supporting means, so that said first portion projects through said bore, and said proof plate projects through said mold, and is thereby freely accessible for the purpose of being replaced.     
     
     
       2. A press as claimed in claim 1 further comprising guide column means, said mold table being reciprocally displaceable on said guide column means, and wherein said first portion of said press die means includes a press die, and said second portion of said press die means includes a press plate. 
     
     
       3. A press according to claim 1, wherein said drive means is a fluid-operated drive means. 
     
     
       4. A press according to claim 3, wherein said fluid-operated drive means includes at least one vertical piston and cylinder mechanism, the piston being drivable upwardly only in the direction of motion of said first portion of said press die means into said aperture and into said bore, said supporting means being movable downwardly by gravity. 
     
     
       5. A press according to claim 3, wherein said fluid-operated drive means includes at least one piston and cylinder mechanism, the piston being drivable in opposite directions during the pressing and release strokes, respectively. 
     
     
       6. A press according to claim 3, wherein said supporting means includes releasable locking means, said supporting means being rigidly locked by said locking means to said second portion of said press die means during both opposite strokes. 
     
     
       7. A press according to claim 1, wherein said mold has two opposite sides and defines a second through-going bore, said bores being substantially equidistant from each of said sides. 
     
     
       8. A press according to claim 1, wherein said drive means is a muscularly energized drive means. 
     
     
       9. A press according to claim 8, wherein said drive means is a handpump.